(FORMULA 1/Getty Images)
By: The Intermission Staff
With the Formula 1 season less than two weeks away, and as drivers prepare for the first race of the season. The Intermission’s motorsport team is here to give their predictions on the drivers champion and constructors champion for the 2021 Formula 1 season.
TJ
Drivers Champion: Lewis Hamilton
Constructors Champion: Mercedes
There’s no reason to believe Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton won’t repeat as double world champions yet again. You could argue that Red Bull will bring the fight to the silver arrows this season with the arrival of Sergio Perez, and they probably will, especially considering Max Verstappen won the last race in Abu Dhabi, usually a Mercedes stronghold. But with Hamilton still reeling from his positive COVID-19 diagnosis, he wasn’t physically at his best. Despite that, Hamilton still managed to set the fastest qualifying one and qualifying two times, then losing out to Verstappen in qualifying three by less than 0.1s. He was able to earn a podium. That race alone says a lot about how Mercedes’ car is far superior to the rest and shows the raw skill the seven-time world champion has in his arsenal. Hopefully, the 2022 regulations will bring new world champions. Until then, this is the Mercedes and Hamilton show, and we’re just along for the ride.
Tyler
Drivers Champion: Lewis Hamilton
Constructors Champion: Mercedes
Like it or not Schumacher fans, Lewis Hamilton will be crowned as the GOAT of Formula 1 when it is all said and done. He has passed Schumacher in almost every category, including wins. Doing that all in fewer F1 starts than Schumacher. However, Hamilton still needs to set the record for career F1 titles. He can cross it off his list this season with him passing Schumacher and lifting his eighth F1 Championship at the end of this season, and that is what he will do. He has won four straight championships since the 2017 season and the last six out of seven. So I am confident that he will achieve it as he has nothing to lose. My prediction is that Hamilton will win 11 races this year in 23 starts. Speaking of Hamilton, is there any constructor more dominant than Mercedes? Having Hamilton is nice, but having Valtteri Bottas a part of the team puts the cherry on top for Mercedes. I am confident that Bottas can bounce back and have a successful season along with Hamilton, so look for Mercedes to claim the Constructors Championship at the end of the season.
Minh
Drivers Champion: Lewis Hamilton
Constructors Champion: Mercedes
In a shocking prediction, I think Mercedes will ace another Constructor Championship. At the same time, Bottas will fight valiantly until James pulls a "Valtteri, it's James," and Sir Lewis Hamilton will win his eighth title and set a new record for other drivers to break in the future. Also, I believe that McLaren and Red Bull will have a close fight for second place in the Constructor’s Championship.
Sam
Drivers Champion: Lewis Hamilton
Constructors Champion: Mercedes
There is no doubt in my mind that Lewis Hamilton will take home his eighth driver’s title by the end of this season. Despite Mercedes struggling during winter testing in Bahrain, I still have a strong feeling that Mercedes will come out and dominate. I think it will be much closer as Red Bull did look quite fast, and even at the end of last season. They were getting closer to Mercedes. However, I know for a fact that as much I would like to see Max Verstappen or anybody else win the driver’s title. I know that Lewis Hamilton will take home the trophy and then retire from Formula 1. Mercedes will take home the Constructors Championship because of the superb ability of Valtteri Bottas and the role that he plays within Mercedes. He has been the x-factor in helping Mercedes win seven straight double championships and there is no denying it.
Julian
Drivers Champion: Lewis Hamilton
Constructors Champion: Red Bull
This year will be a crazy season for F1, with rule changes around the corner and the fact that many teams could only make minor changes to their car. With that being said, most people would say that Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton will walk away with both the Drivers and Constructors Championships like if it were nothing. I only agree partly with that statement. Hamilton will win the driver's crown, but by no means will it be was easy. He will prove he deserves it by outclassing Verstappen in a season-long duel. As for the constructors, with Perez's extraordinary ability to drag cars a lot, along with the beast that is Verstappen. The Red Bull duo will collectively beat Mercedes by a nose, as I think Bottas will heavily disappoint this season.